Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2011) Vol. I.

[mersey70]

Originally Posted by muppetman11

On Sky
Sky Sports is 20.25 and HD pack is 10.25 plus if you take 6 mix that is 24.50
Total is £55.00 but no ESPN like VM.

On VM
Sky Sports is 22.50 and 7.00 HD premium charge plus XL TV 24.50 from April
Total is £54.00

And although Sky (quite rightly in my opinion) market ESPN as a stand alone channel hence it isn't included for £55 a month they get shed loads more HD channels and a lot more channels in general for that £55. ESPN is a premium channel and as such we should choose whether we want it like we do with other premium channels, no others are included in XL.

VM should make ESPN a stand alone channel and introduce a different pricing structure for XL in my opinion which would allow for more basic HD channels.

Because I am tired of hearing them say 'we cannot afford it'. I am beginning to wonder if they cannot afford it because of all their debts. To be honest I don't care why, they need to look at their offer and fast. If they think a PVR is going to be their saving grace I think they are deluded if the US is anything to go by.

If it wasnt for catch up I would can VM now, I hate some of Sky's practices but i'm not sure I hate them as much as being at VM's beck and call on 'negotiations' that either take forever, or go nowhere.

[alwaysabear]

Originally Posted by muppetman11

On Sky
Sky Sports is 20.25 and HD pack is 10.25 plus if you take 6 mix that is 24.50
Total is £55.00 but no ESPN like VM.

On VM
Sky Sports is 22.50 and 7.00 HD premium charge plus XL TV 24.50 from April
Total is £54.00

So the price difference is the price of ESPN, so it would be £65 for everything on Sky, but all HD channels would be available. Sounds good to me, just need BB speeds to match VM then I will be off.

[Perfect Choice]

Agree, if you want HD Sports the prices are similar then.

However if you are not bothered about having Sky Sports like me, then I am paying £24.50 for XL TV with HD versus £34.75 for Sky with their 6 pack and HD. Now Sky have more HD of course but not on what I regard as essential channels so personally I'm happy with the VM approach and if VM wanted to introduce a "premium HD" channel fee for £5 say, they could still be cheaper than Sky for all but a few channels where Sky would insist (via charging a too high a price) on some form of exclusivity, as is the case right now with Sky Atlantic SD/HD, where exclusivity is determined by Sky taking the view the value of that channel is much higher than VMs view, but that is another debate and another thread on here!

[alwaysabear]

Originally Posted by mersey70

And although Sky (quite rightly in my opinion) market ESPN as a stand alone channel hence it isn't included for £55 a month they get shed loads more HD channels and a lot more channels in general for that £55.

VM should make ESPN a stand alone channel and introduce a different pricing structure for XL in my opinion which would allow for more basic HD channels.

Because I am tired of hearing them say 'we cannot afford it'. I am beginning to wonder if they cannot afford it because of all their debts. To be honest I don't care why, they need to look at their offer and fast. If they think a PVR is going to be their saving grace I think they are deluded if the US is anything to go by.

If it wasnt for catch up I would can VM now, I hate some of Sky's practices but i'm not sure I hate them as much as being at VM's beck and call on 'negotiations' that either take forever, or go nowhere.

Here, here,

[muppetman11]

Originally Posted by Perfect Choice

Correct, my error, we are talking about the HD add-on price only here not the subscription in the first place for Sky Sports. They really know how to charge on Sky, good job I'm not that bothered!

Originally Posted by alwaysabear

So the price difference is the price of ESPN, so it would be £65 for everything on Sky, but all HD channels would be available. Sounds good to me, just need BB speeds to match VM then I will be off.

64 actually ESPN is £9.00 for SS subscribers.

[alwaysabear]

Originally Posted by muppetman11

64 actually ESPN is £9.00 for SS subscribers.

Silly me I cannot add up.

[passingbat]

Originally Posted by Perfect Choice

However if you are not bothered about having Sky Sports like me, then I am paying £24.50 for XL TV with HD versus £34.75 for Sky with their 6 pack and HD. !

And you can add another 10 pounds p/m to the sky price if you have HD in two rooms, so it's 24.50 for VM and 44.75 for Sky. VM's pricing works for me!

[Arthurgray50@blu]

With Sky, you get ALL channels that are out and therefore make a charge for that, and its a business and they give there customers what they want - at a reasonable price.

With VM, l believe you get the channels that VM want, and NOT with the customer in mind, Every product is worth a price, and l don't think VM want to pay that price - they want it on the cheap. ie Sky Atlantic for example.

[muppetman11]

Originally Posted by Arthurgray50@blu

With Sky, you get ALL channels that are out and therefore make a charge for that, and its a business and they give there customers what they want - at a reasonable price.

With VM, l believe you get the channels that VM want, and NOT with the customer in mind, Every product is worth a price, and l don't think VM want to pay that price - they want it on the cheap. ie Sky Atlantic for example.

Must admit I tend to agree

---------- Post added at 15:57 ---------- Previous post was at 15:56 ----------

Originally Posted by passingbat

And you can add another 10 pounds p/m to the sky price if you have HD in two rooms, so it's 24.50 for VM and 44.75 for Sky. VM's pricing works for me!

That's like anything , they both have their pros and cons.

[mersey70]

Originally Posted by passingbat

And you can add another 10 pounds p/m to the sky price if you have HD in two rooms, so it's 24.50 for VM and 44.75 for Sky. VM's pricing works for me!

In fairness you can also add £14 to VM if you have the Sky HD channels in two rooms. And then there's the Tivo charge too if you want that.

And if you are not on XL isn't multiroom with V+ over £10 a month?

When I add on VM's almost extortiante phone charges I don't think there is much between them on price overall but Sky is much more flexible for me.

But they haven't got catch up which is a killer feature for us.

[passingbat]

Originally Posted by muppetman11

That's like anything , they both have their pros and cons.

An extra 20 pounds per month is a big 'con' to me

[mersey70]

Originally Posted by passingbat

An extra 20 pounds per month is a big 'con' to me

V+ multiroom with Sky HD channels is over £17 a month on VM without XL you know.

It's just a way to get you to take the top tier which I accept is good value anyway but it's painfully inflexible for me.

How much is Tivo multiroom?

[passingbat]

Originally Posted by mersey70

In fairness you can also add £14 to VM if you have the Sky HD channels in two rooms..

But I don't have them at all.

This is why there is no 'best' provider; it's what's best for your individual preferences, and even then, there will be compromises.

---------- Post added at 16:13 ---------- Previous post was at 16:10 ----------

Originally Posted by mersey70

How much is Tivo multiroom?

I've asked the question a couple of times and never got an answer.

[BenMcr]

I would assume it's £6.50 normal additional box rental + £3 TiVo fee

[mersey70]

Originally Posted by passingbat

But I don't have them at all.

This is why there is no 'best' provider; it's what's best for your individual preferences, and even then, there will be compromises.

I agree with that.

I just think VM need to take another look at their pricing structure, it's just too inflexible for me if they keep on saying they cannot afford to offer what a lot of people clearly want. An option to pay more, like with the Sky HD channels would be worth considering at least.

And the blanket inclusion of ESPN in XL is inflexible to, it is a premium channel and as such we should choose whether we want it or not. That way it could free up more money for basic, general HD channels which is what the XL package should be.

Premium channels should be an option for me, not just included whether you want it or not. No other premium channels than ESPN are included.